I nomaded for about 8 years with a couple short stints back home. I’m turning 35 this year and it’s starting to hit me that I’ve got a rough resume, no insurance, and basically no real retirement plan. I worked a seasonal job last year for about 8 months and dumped almost everything I earned into investments trying to play catch up after saving nothing for most of my life.
Here’s the dilemma. I still love the lifestyle. Traveling, new food, new people, learning constantly. But it feels like I’m staring down the reality that one day my body won’t cooperate and I’ll have no real safety net for healthcare or aging.
So now I’m seriously thinking about going full corporate sellout mode. Get a white collar job in the US, build some stability, and shelve the travel dreams for a while. I hate the idea, but I don’t really see another viable path.
Going back to what I used to do, English teaching and seasonal kitchen work, just feels too financially fragile long term.
I know some nomads have solid remote jobs and this isn’t an issue for them. But for those who don’t and are still nomadding into their late 30s or beyond, how are you actually making this work? Are people just accepting being broke long term and dealing with the consequences later?
Not trying to bash the lifestyle. I’d honestly love to be convinced to keep traveling. I just can’t see how it’s sustainable without real income.
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